Cinematography

AIM: Within the Cinematography section of my portfolio I will be defining the term cinematography and analysing it within a clip from "Modern Times" by Charlie Chaplin. OBJECTIVE: At the end of this page the reader will be provided with a definition of cinematography, an explanation of what cinematography comprises of, an illustration of how it has been used in the film and an explanation of how i will link this into my film. DEFINITION: Cinematography refers to what occurs in a defined area of space, bordered by the frame of the screen and determined by what the camera has made to be record.EXPLANATION OF CINEMATOGRAPHY AND WHAT IT COMPRISES OF: The mise-en-scene can be manipulated by the frame by exhibiting a facial extreme for example and therefore providing the illusion of more space around it. Within cinematography there are numerous amounts of shots, for example extreme wide shots. An extreme wide shot is an establishing shot that focuses on the location rather than the subject (the actor or individual). An establishing shot is used to make the audience aware of the location of the film. Wide shot or long shot, is where the subject and the location is in full view. Finally a close up, which focuses on a particular feature of the subject, for example the eyes. A close up of the eyes, depending on the genre of the film could connote a deeper history of the protagonist.

These images from left to right demonstrate an establishing shot, a wide shot and a close up.

ILLUSTRATION OF CINEMATOGRAPHY CONVENTIONS: The genre of a physical comedy typically uses close ups, which are used to enhance or to bring the comedic gestures to the audience's attention, and an establishing shot within certain extracts to set the scene and wide shots. The camera generally remains static in these films. The fact that the camera is still the whole way through the film creates a more theatrical element. For example, as the camera doesn't move to focus on one character, the actor's movements must be more exaggerated and theatrical. However, as demonstrated in the clip below there is a pan used to reveal Chaplin's character. By doing this, the audience see the typical factory worker and then they see Chaplin, who is a small, funny looking man and thus enhances the comedy. Within this clip from Modern Times Chaplin uses a variety of shots, for example there is a use of close ups to express the detail of his facial expressions, thus enhancing the comedy. Typically in physical comedies close ups are used to show the humurous facial expressions of the actors therefore Modern Times conforms to this element of the genre. In the scene below, Chaplin's face is shown in a close up to enhance the failure of modernity, through the sense of worry and confusion. The significance of the close up in this scene is great because it represents the failure of modernity hence following the Marxist ideology. The close ups within this film also signifies the genre (physical comedy) this is because this particular genre entails the use of over acted facial expressions and gestures.

This image demonstrates the medium close up of Chaplin while he is being abused by the machine.

Throughout the whole clip there is a use of long take which requires the mise en scene to create the preferred meaning of the film. An example of this would be the factory, the factory could connote the hegemonic structure between technology and humanity or it could connote a well structured society (i.e. an assembly line), this element also conforms to the typical conventions of the genre. The cinematography within Modern Times does not deviate from a physical comedy.

HOW THIS LINKS TO MY FILM: Within my film the main shots used will be close ups, once again to enhance the comedy of the film, an establishing shot at the beginning of the film and wide shots will be used throughout. I will also use a pan at the beginning of my film to establish the scene, similarly to the beginning of the clip below. I will conform entirely to the genre of my film.

ILL MANORS

ILLUSTRATION OF TYPICAL CINEMATOGRAPHY WITHIN SOCIAL REALISM: Typically within social realist films, there is a use of close ups for an emotional attachment to the characters, establishing shots to allow the audience to identify the surroundings of the film and wide shots and long takes during conversations. In addition, the camera tends to track a lot while following a specific character, and to show status, the angles vary depending on how great the character's status within the film is.

ILLUSTRATION OF CINEMATOGRAPHY CONVENTIONS WITHIN THE FILM ILL MANORS (NO IMAGES COULD BE FOUND TO DEMONSTRATE THIS FILM): Within the clip I am analysing there are a use of close ups to enhance the emotions the character who is imprisoned is facing. For example there is a close up of his face when he is laughing at the conversation his inmates are having, however as his anxiety builds the close ups become out of focus and show his twitches, for example in his hands.

Within this scene, there is a constant cut from the prisoners facial expressions to there a montage of "home videos" which were filmed on a hand held camera, thus giving it a gritty, raw and shakey effect which shows the realism of it.In addition, it clearly illustrates the difference in locations. As the clip continues there is a constant use of wide shots to show all the prison action which is occurring around him that the audience can see and the actor can't. For example, the prison guard is shown letting people in and out of prison, this then cuts to a wide shot of the prisoner changing position each time. In this scene, the camera remains static in the locations to make it seem as though the audience are actually in the locations with the actors, thus giving it a sense of realism.

Another example of the cinematography within Ill manors, would be the opening sequence of shots. The film opens with a close up of a flame from the cigarette. It could be inferred that this opening image has a link to the final image of the fire where the protagonist's friend dies. The close up then zooms out to reveal the protagonist, this immediately tells the audience that this person serves a big purpose within the film. After this, there is a birds eye view of the estate. By doing this, the audience can understand that this film is about people from a working class background.

Another example of the close ups within this film would be during the montage which tells the story of "Chris". The close ups bring the focus to certain things that the audience should remember for example the scar on Chris' face and the drugs. Lastly, in the second scene of the film the camera is positioned in areas such as between a cracked door, and behind trees, by doing this, the cinematographer is making the audience feel uncomfortable because it is almost like they are spying on the character's whereabouts. An example of this within the film would be during the bedroom scene, the camera is just behind a crack door, the door is out of focus, however when cued the camera pulls focus, this allows to understand exactly where they are in regards to this scene.

HOW THIS LINKS TO MY FILM: Within my film the main shots used will be close ups to show the facial expressions of the protagonists, an establishing shot to mark each change in location and wide shots throughout to establish the character movement. I will conform entirely to the genre of my film. However, unlike Ill Manors, I will not be putting my audience in a position of secrecy because my film is a comedy rather than a drama.

CONNECTIONS

ILLUSTRATION OF CINEMATOGRAPHY CONVENTIONS: The genre of a comedy typically comprises of a close up, which is used to enhance or to bring the comedic gestures to the audiences attention, an establishing shot within certain extracts to set the scene and wide shots. At the beginning of the film, there is a use of a medium close up to introduce the film. Within the shot there is a sign with the the word "connections" on it, this is similar to other black and white films because the opening of the film consists of the credits. Within the film, unlike traditional black and white films, there is a use of tracking shots. For example, during the scene under the bridge, the camera follows the protagonist and antagonist as they walk. By doing this, the cinematographer is creating tension because the audience want to know where they are going. Also in this scene, there is a use of POV's from the protagonist's point of view. By doing this, there is a sense of mystery, in terms of the identity of the antagonist and it reinforces the fact that it's about that person.

The first image demonstrates the tracking shot used to follow the two men and the second shows the POV shot used to create a sense of mystery.

HOW THIS LINKS TO MY FILM: Within my film the main shots used will be close ups, once again to enhance the comedy of the film, an establishing shot at the beginning of the film and wide shots throughout. I will conform entirely to the genre of my film.

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